Skirt for top of rail applicator

ABSTRACT

A skirt for use on an applicator bar, wherein the applicator bar includes a body and a flow passageway having an exit end defined in the body, and wherein a second section of the skirt defining a lip is adapted to coact with the body so that the second section is positioned adjacent the exit end of the body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/378,821, filed May 8, 2002, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for lubricating railroadrails or for applying friction modifiers to railroad rails.

2. Description of Related Art

In the operation of railroads, it has long been the practice to applygrease or friction modifier materials onto railroad rails, such as tothe top of rails or sides of the rails at curves, turnouts, switches, insome cases, the sections of the track immediately before a switch, andperiodically spaced along the length of the track. Such lubricants andfriction modifying materials, such as grease, can either reduce orincrease the friction where necessary to improve train performance andreduce wear on both the rails and the train wheels. In the case of afriction modifying material, i.e., a material that increases thefriction between the train wheel and the rail, the practice has been toapply the friction modifier material to the top of the rail to contactthe train wheels. Oftentimes, the friction modifying material does notreach the center of the rail or substantial amounts of frictionmodifying material are wasted by dripping or pouring along the sides ofthe rail. One such device used to apply friction modifying material tothe top of the rail is disclosed in International PCT Application No.PCT/US00/09269 entitled “Top of Rail Applicator”, which is herebyincorporated by reference. Typically, a skirt can be used in conjunctionwith the top of a rail applicator device to provide and/or directfriction modifying material towards a surface of the rail. However,excess friction modifying material can be wasted by flowing over or ontop of the skirt. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention toovercome this limitation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a skirt for use on an applicator bar.The applicator bar includes a body and a flow passageway having an exitend defined in the body. The skirt having a first section and a secondsection includes a lip defined on the second section of the skirt,wherein the second section is adapted to coact with the body so that thesecond section is positioned adjacent the exit end of the body. Thefirst section and the second section of the skirt define an angle thatcan be either at least 90 degrees or greater than 90 degrees and lessthan 180 degrees. The first section and the second section of the skirtcan also be curved. The skirt can be made of a flexible material, anelastomeric material or a polymeric material containing reinforcingfibers.

The present invention can also be an applicator bar for applying amaterial to a head of a rail. The applicator bar includes a body and aflow passageway having an exit end defined in the body for the materialto flow through. A skirt having a lip as previously discussed isattached to the body and positioned adjacent the exit end for directingthe material to a surface of the rail. The exit end of the body can bepartially defined by an elongated distribution blade and a retainingbar, wherein the skirt is defined between the distribution blade and theretaining bar. The skirt can be adhesively attached to the retaining baror frictionally held between the distribution blade and the retainingbar. The applicator bar can also include at least one strip having anexposed roughened surface positioned between the distribution blade andthe retaining bar, wherein the skirt contacts at least the one strip andcontacting the roughened surface.

The present invention also provides for a rail applicator system thatincludes a rail and an applicator. The rail includes a head having asurface. The applicator, which is used for applying a material to thesurface of the rail, includes a body and a flow passageway having anexit end defined in the body. A skirt having a lip is positionedadjacent the exit end for directing the material to the surface of therail, whereby the lip creates a pool of the material between the lip andthe head of the rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic view of a railway rail friction modifyingapparatus made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view partially in section of an applicatorbar coacting with a rail made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevational plan view of the applicator bar shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is an elevational end view of a portion of the applicator barshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional elevational view of the applicator barshown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded elevational view of the portion of the applicatorbar shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an end elevational view of another embodiment of theapplicator bar made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevational end view of another embodiment of theapplicator bar made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 attachedto a rail;

FIG. 10 is an end view of another embodiment of an applicator bar madein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a portion of the applicator barshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a portion of the applicator barshown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of another embodiment of anapplicator bar made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a D-shaped seal shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an exploded elevational view of another embodiment of anapplicator bar made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional elevational view of the applicator barshown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an elevational plan view, partially in section, of theapplicator bar shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a partial exploded elevational view of a skirt and retainingblade shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is an exploded elevational view of the applicator bar shown inFIG. 15 having another embodiment of a skirt attached thereto;

FIG. 20 is a partial sectional elevational view of the applicator barshown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a partial exploded elevational view of the skirt andretaining blade shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is an exploded elevational view of another embodiment of anapplicator bar made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a partial sectional elevational view of the applicator barshown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is an elevational plan view, partially in section, of theapplicator bar shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is an end elevational view, partially in section, of theapplicator bar shown in FIG. 23 coacting with a rail;

FIG. 26 is a partial exploded elevational view of a skirt and a portionof an applicator bar clamping the skirt made in accordance with thepresent invention; and

FIG. 27 is an end elevational view, partially in section, of theapplicator bar shown in FIG. 23 coacting with a side of a rail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is related to applicator bars similar to that asshown in International PCT Application No. PCT/US00/09269. FIG. 1 showsa partial schematic of a top of rail applicator 10 made in accordancewith the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows the railway topof rail applicator 10 for use with railroad rails 12. Each rail 12includes a base 14 that has flanges 16 and 18 extending therefrom. Therail 12 also includes a head 20 and a web 22 which secures the head tothe base 14. A pump actuator 24 is provided, which is substantially thesame as the pump actuator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,958, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, a wheel detectorthrough a controller is coupled with an electric motor arrangement 25,shown in phantom, can be used in lieu of the pump actuator 24. The pumpactuator 24 is secured to the rail 12 via clamps, such as S-shapedclamps. The pump actuator 24 or the arrangement 25 coacts with anapplicator bar 26 which is schematically shown in FIG. 1. The pumpactuator 24 includes a pump 28 that is in fluid communication with areservoir 30. In operation a rail wheel, such as a locomotive wheel,contacts the pump actuator 24, thereby, activating the pump 28 andsupplying the friction modifying material or a lubricant to theapplicator bar 26. The applicator bar 26 is arranged to provide frictionmodifying material adjacent the field surface or outside surface of therail head 20 as opposed to the gauge surface or inside surface of therail head 20. Alternatively, the arrangement 25 is activated by thepresence of a rail wheel passing thereby. Typically, the pump actuator24 and/or the arrangement 25 are placed in close proximity to theapplicator bar 26, while the reservoir is positioned twenty-five tothirty feet from the applicator bar 26.

Typically, the electric motor of the arrangement 25 is operated by 220volt AC, 110 volt AC or 12 volt DC, for example. The electric motor canbe so arranged so that the friction modifying material or lubricant issupplied to every wheel, or every other wheel, etc. Generally, fourapplicator bars 26 are supplied by one reservoir 30. It has been foundthat if the friction modifying material has a viscosity similar towater, then check valves 31 are provided in fluid communication witheach applicator bar 26 to prevent the reverse flow of the frictionmodifying material. Also, flow control valves, such as globe valves 31′,can be provided to control flow through each of the applicator bars 26.

A first embodiment of the applicator bar 26, made in accordance with thepresent invention, is shown in FIGS. 2-6. Referring specifically toFIGS. 2 and 3, the applicator bar 26 is mounted to the rail 12 throughtwo oppositely positioned mounting clamps 32. Each mounting clamp 32includes a J-bolt 34 having a J-shaped end adapted to receive the flange16. Each J-bolt 34 includes a threaded end 36 that passes through themounting clamp 32. The mounting clamp 32 also includes a recess adaptedto receive the flange 18. Nuts and a lockwasher 38 are received at thethreaded end 36 to securably hold the mounting clamp 32 to the rail 12.Spacers 40 are provided on an upper surface of the mounting clamp 32onto which an applicator bar mounting body 44 is secured through afastener 42. The fastener 42 has a threaded end that is threadablysecured to the mounting clamp 32. The applicator bar 26 is secured tothe applicator bar mounting body 44.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the applicator bar 26 includes a body 45 thatincludes an inlet 46 which is in fluid communication with the pump 28through hosing (not shown) connecting the inlet 46 to the pump 28. Theinlet 46 is secured and is in fluid communication with a manifold 48.The manifold 48 includes a plurality of channels C, similar to thechannels disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,958. A manifold bar 50 issecured to the manifold 48 by fasteners 52. A fluid passageway P isdefined by channels C formed in the manifold 48 and holes H provided inthe manifold bar 50, similar to that as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,394,958. Preferably, all of the surfaces defining the fluidpassageways are lined with Teflon®. An inner seal 54 is provided andsecured to a front blade 56. The front blade 56 abuts against an outersurface of the manifold bar 50. The front blade 56 includes a plurality,in this case two, of slots SL aligned with holes H. The front blade 56includes a plurality of aligning tabs 58. A distribution blade 60receives the aligning tabs 58 and abuts against the front blade 56. Thedistribution blade 60 includes slots L that receive tabs 58 and abutagainst the front blade 56. A vertical flow passageway F is defined byinner surfaces of the front blade 56 and the distribution blade 60.

An elongated “D-shaped seal” 62 is secured to an outer surface of thedistribution blade 60. A back bar 64 is secured to the distributionblade 60. Fasteners 66 pass through the back bar 64, the distributionblade 60, the front blade 56, the manifold bar 50 and the manifold 48securing the members to one another. The back bar includes an anglebracket 68 to hold a back surface of a seal 62 in place. The manifoldchannels C, the holes H and slots SL and the space defined front blade56 and the distribution blade 60 define the flow passageway F, all ofwhich are in fluid communication with each other and permit a frictionmodifying material to flow therethrough.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the applicator bar 26 is secured to the rail12 through the J-bolts 34. The spacers 48, which can be varying numbers,are provided so that the inner seal 54 abuts and seals against the head20 of the rail 12. The inner seal 54 extends along substantially for theentire length of the applicator bar 26. The exit E of the flowpassageway F is defined by upper ends of the distribution blades 60 andthe front blade 56. In this arrangement, the D-shaped seal has an uppersurface positioned above the crown CR of the rail head. Further, asshown in FIG. 3, ends 67 of the D-shaped seal are pressed against therail head 20 by end brackets B. The crown CR of the rail head iscontained on an upper surface SU of the rail. Each end bracket Bincludes an elongated plate PL attached to one of the applicator barmounting bodies 44, a piece of key stock K, which is attached to platePL, is arranged to sandwich the D-shaped seal 62 against the rail head20 as shown in FIG. 7. This arrangement will create a reservoir R or dam69, through a dammed structure defined by the ends 67 and the D-shapedseal 62, the inner seal 54 and an upper end surface of the rail head 20.The dam is positioned adjacent exit end E. The inner seal 54 preventsthe friction modifying material from flowing between the rail head 20and the applicator bar 26, although with a thick friction modifyingmaterial, such as grease, the dam 69 may not require the inner seal 54.However, with less viscous materials, such as water based materials, theinner seal should be used. Preferably, D-shaped seal 62 and the innerseal 54 are made of an elastomeric, flexible material, such asNeoprene/EPDM/SBR closed cell sponge rubber. Seals 54 and 62 areprovided with adhesive backings so that they can be adhesively securedto the respective parts of the applicator bar 26. The D-shaped seal 62has an inner air pocket A between the Neoprene curved member andstraight member. It has been found that this arrangement can survive thecompression caused by rail wheels contacting the D-shaped seal 54 andcompressing the D-shaped seal 62 over a long period of time. Although itis preferable to use the above described seals, any other type ofelastic seal will suffice. Also, to prevent the D-shaped seal from beingpulled away from the applicator bar 26, an angle bracket 68 (as shown inFIG. 7 and in FIGS. 2 and 4-6) can be provided and which is discussedbelow.

In operation a railroad vehicle travels along the rail 12. Initially arail wheel of the railroad vehicle passes over the pump actuator 24thereby activating the pump 28. The pump 28 provides friction modifyingmaterial from the reservoir 30 to the applicator bar 26. Alternatively,the previously described arrangement 25 can be provided in lieu of thepump actuator 24. Specifically, the friction modifying material passesthrough the inlet 46 into the manifold 48 and is distributed along thelength of the applicator bar 26. The friction modifying material thenpasses between the front blade 56 and distribution blade 60 through theflow passageway F and exits through the exit E directed to the rail head20. The rail head 20, D-shaped seal 62, and inner seal 54 define thereservoir R of friction modifying material that terminate at the crownCR of the rail head 20. As the rail wheels then pass over the portion ofthe rail head 20 that is adjacent to the applicator bar 26, the frictionmodifying material, which is directed to the upper surface SU throughexit E, then contacts the rail wheel, typically near the crown CR of therail head 20. When using the arrangement 25, the friction modifyingmaterial can be supplied to a varying number of wheels or all of thewheels.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of an applicator bar 26′ of thepresent invention with like numerals used for like elements.Essentially, applicator bar 26′ is the same as the applicator bar 26except for the following differences. Specifically, a Neoprene skirt 70is secured to an upper portion of the applicator bar 26′ through theangle bracket 68. The angle bracket 68 is secured to the back bar 64 viawelding. An end of the angle bracket 68 is positioned adjacent theD-shaped seal 62 so that the skirt 70 is sandwiched between the D-shapedseal and the bracket 68. The angle bracket 68 is also used without theskirt 70 to hold the D-shaped seal 62 in place. The skirt 70 extendstoward the crown CR of the rail head 20. It is important to note thatthe skirt 70 should be flexible. The skirt 70 extends substantiallyalong the length of the applicator bar 26′. In this arrangement, areservoir area 72 is defined, that is bounded by a portion of the railhead 20, an inner surface of the skirt 70, the D-shaped seal 62 and theinner seal 54. Operation of the applicator bar 26′ is similar to that aspreviously described for applicator bar 26, except, that as the railwheels pass over the skirt 70 lubricant is squeezed onto the rail headthrough a passageway 74 defined by the end of the skirt 70 and the railhead 20. The skirt 70 is arranged to provide the friction modifyingmaterial toward an upper surface. It has been found that thisarrangement improves the application of the friction modifying materialto the rail 12 and rail wheels. Further, it has been found that theskirt 70 prevents excess friction modifying material flowing from aroundthe seals and it has been found that the skirt 70, which is positionedadjacent the exit end E, prevents evaporation of the friction modifyingmaterial over time and prevents clogging of the exit passageway definedbetween the front blade and distribution blade 60 through theevaporation of the friction modifying material. Furthermore, it has beenfound that the skirt 70 prevents excess dirt and other materials fromclogging the exit passageway E. The skirt 70 can be replacedperiodically due to wear. It has also been found that the skirt end 76should be positioned below the crown CR of the rail head 20 for the bestresults. It has also been found that the tread or outer edge of the railwheel should contact an intermediate portion 78 of the skirt 70 for thebest application of the friction modifying material. Preferably, theskirt is made of a flexible elastomeric material, although it may bemade of other materials such as metal.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show another alternative embodiment 26″ of an applicatorbar similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-6, except for the below noteddifference. Like reference numerals will be used for like elements.

First, the single elongated D-shaped seal 62 is eliminated and twosubstitute D-shaped seals 62′ and 62″ are provided only on the ends ofthe applicator bar, wherein a flat surface 100 of the D-shaped seals 62′and 62″ have an adhesive that permits the respective D-shaped seals 62′and 62″ to be attached to plates PL. A portion of the D-shaped seals 62′and 62″ extend into the back bar 64′. Back bar 64′ is similar to backbar 64 except the L-shaped extension (bracket 68) is not provided. TheD-shaped seals 62′ and 62″ extend into the bracket and contact ends ofinner seal 54.

Preferably, a skirt 70′ is secured to an outer surface of the guideblade 60 and held in place by the back bar 64′. The skirt 70′ may be arectangular metallic sheet, a polymeric material that may containreinforcing fibers, such as a Kevlar® sheet with fiberglass fibers, orpolymeric rubber material such as Neoprene.

Operation of the applicator bar 26″ is similar to that as applicator bar26′ except that as the rail wheels pass over the skirt 70′, lubricant issqueezed onto the rail head between a passageway 74′ defined by an endof the skirt 70′ and the rail head 20. Alternatively, the skirt 70′ neednot be flexible and the material flows through 74′ due to pumpactivation. Also, in this arrangement the reservoir area 72′ is definedby the area that is bounded by a portion of the rail head 20, an innersurface of the skirt 70′, the D-shaped seals 62′ and 62″, the frontblade 56 and the inner seal 54. As can be seen with respect to theembodiments 26′, 26″ and 26′″, the skirts 70, 70′ and the end 200 of thedistribution blade 60 are positioned adjacent the exit end E and directthe material to the upper surface SU of the rail. Preferably, the skirts70, 70′ and the end 200 of the distribution blade 60 are positioned overportions of the rail upper surface SU.

FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of an applicator bar 26′″, which issimilar to applicator bar 26″, except for the below noted difference.Like reference numerals are used for like elements. The skirt 70′ is notpresent in the applicator bar 26′″, however, the distribution blade 60is of substantial length so as to have an end portion with an end 200 inclose proximity to the crown CR wherein the end portion, acts as askirt, thereby eliminating the need for the separate skirts 70 and 70″.

FIG. 11 shows the reservoir R or dam 69 of the applicator bar 26. FIG.12 shows the reservoir R′ or dam 69′ of the applicator bar 26″. Skirt 70is shown in phantom on FIG. 11.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show another embodiment of an applicator bar 26″″, whichis similar to applicator bar 26 except for the below noted differences.Like reference numerals are used for like elements. A D-shaped seal 62′″is provided similar to D-shaped seal 62, except a slot 300 is cut alonga lower edge of the D-shaped seal 62 defining a passageway 350 so thatends of the front blade 56 and the distribution blade 60 are receivedwithin the D-shaped seal 62′″ and the exit E is in fluid communicationwith the air pocket A. D-shaped seal 62′″ acts like a skirt. A pluralityof holes 400 are defined on the D-shaped seal which are in fluidcommunication with the air pocket A. The holes are arranged to directfriction modifying material toward the rail upper surface SU and therail crown CR. The inner seal 54 is replaced by a portion 500 of theD-shaped seal 62′″. The D-shaped seal 62′″ is flexible and acts as adistributer having a D-shaped body. The plurality of holes 400 are influid communication with the exit end E and the air pocket A orreservoir chamber. Ends 700 and 800 of the D-shaped seal 62′″ areclamped as previously described. Further, a silica gel material can beprovided at the ends 700 and 800 to seal off the ends to prevent leakageof the friction modifying material. In operation friction modifyingmaterial flows from exit E into air pocket A and out of holes 400 towardthe upper surface SU and the crown CR. A reservoir 600 may be definedbetween portion 500 and the rail upper surface SU.

With reference to all of the applicator bars 26, 26′, 26″ 26′″ and 26″″,the position or the angle α (shown in FIG. 2) of entry through the exitof the passage E and the vertical axis Z passing through the rail web 22can vary between, for example, 45°-70°. In other instances it isbelieved that the applicator bar exit E can be positioned away from therail in any orientation, such as for example vertical, and an applicatorattachment attached thereto which has a flow passageway to direct thefriction modifying material to the rail upper surface SU and the crownCR. The vertical and horizontal position of the crown CR relative to theapplicator bars 26, 26′, 26″, 26′″ and 26″″, with the exception of theskirts 70 and 70′, the seals and the distribution blade 60, may bevaried to accommodate either passenger trains or freight trains, so thatthe train wheels do not come in contact with and damage the remainingstructure of the applicator bars. Further, in some instances, the dam 69or 69′ may be removed and the friction modifying material is directed tothe upper surface SU and the crown CR via the skirts 70 or 70′, ordistribution blade end 200, for example.

FIGS. 15-18 show another embodiment of an applicator bar 1000 similar toapplicator bar 26 as shown in FIGS. 1-6, wherein like reference numeralswill be used for like elements. The applicator bar 1000 includes anapplicator bar body 45 and a manifold gasket 1004 held to the applicatorbar body 45 via a manifold bar 50. The manifold bar 50 is secured to theapplicator bar body 45 via fasteners 52. A front seal or D-seal 1010 isaffixed to a front blade 56. End seals 1014 and 1016 are attached toopposite ends of the front blade 56. The seals 1014 and 1016 can be madeof a rubber or rubber-like material and can be adhesively attached tothe front blade 56. A distribution blade 60 is positioned adjacent thefront blade 56 with a second gasket 1006 therebetween. A retaining bar1018 is positioned adjacent the distribution blade 60 with a skirt 1020defined therebetween. However, alternative embodiments of a skirt 1020′and 1020″ (shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, respectively) can also be definedbetween the distribution blade 60 and the retaining bar 1018 of theapplicator bar 1000. Fasteners 66 are received by the retaining bar1018, the distribution blade 60, the front blade 56, the manifold bar50, and the applicator bar body 45, thus forming the applicator bar1000. The skirts 1020, 1020′, and 1020″ perform the same function as theskirts 70 and 70′ as previously discussed, i.e., to prevent the dryingout of the friction modifying material and to prevent dirt from passinginto the passageways of the applicator bar 1000.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 18, the skirt 1020 includes a first section1022 and a second section 1024. A lip 1030 can be defined at an end ofthe skirt second section 1024. An angle 1026, as shown in FIG. 18, isdefined between the skirt first section 1022 and the skirt secondsection 1024. In one embodiment, the angle 1026 for skirt 1020 can be 90degrees.

FIGS. 19-21 show another embodiment of a skirt 1020′ used on applicatorbar 1000 that is similar to skirt 1020, except that an angle 1026′ isgreater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees. The skirt 1020′ alsoincludes a first section 1022′ and a second section 1024′, wherein thesecond section 1024′ defines a lip 1030′.

FIGS. 22-24 show another embodiment of an applicator bar 1000′ similarto applicator bar 1000 shown in FIGS. 15-18, except for the below noteddifferences. Like reference numerals will be used for the like elements.First, the front blade 56 is eliminated. A gasket or seal 1008 can beadhesively attached to an end of the distribution blade 60. A front sealor D-shaped seal 1010′ is affixed to an upper end of a manifold bar 50′.Manifold bar 50′ can also be angled at the upper end. Another embodimentof a skirt 1020″ is defined between the distribution blade 60 and theretaining bar 1018. Referring to FIGS. 22, 23, and 25, the skirt 1020″includes a curved first section 1022″ and a curved second section 1024″.A lip 1030″ can be defined at an end of the skirt second section 1024″.However, skirts 1020 and 1020′ can also be used on applicator bar 1000′.

Referring to FIG. 25, the skirt 1020″ can be arranged to abut against anupper surface or head 20 of a rail 12. The arrangement is such that theskirt second section 1024″ has a biasing force F against the rail head20 and will flex when friction modifying material passes through theapplicator bar 1000′, thereby moving away from the rail head 20 topermit the friction modifying material to be applied to a top of therail 12. The lip 1030″ creates a dam-like structure which can thencreate a puddle or pool P of the friction modifying material. Skirts1020 and 1020′ can also be biased against the upper surface or head 20of the rail 12 (not shown) and function in the same manner as skirt1020″.

The skirts 1020, 1020′, and 1020″ are typically made of a silicon rubbermaterial but can be made from other elastomeric materials or rubberwhich will permit flex. The appropriate durometer of the rubber must besuch that it will permit the skirts 1020, 1020′, and 1020″ to have abiasing force F (shown in FIGS. 25 and 27) against the rail 12 and willallow friction modifying material to pass from the applicator bar 1000or 1000′ onto the rail 12. A rubber or elastomeric material thatprevents the friction modifying material from passing from theapplicator bar 1000 or 1000′ onto the rail 12 is considered too hard.

The skirts 1020, 1020′, and 1020″ can be adhesively secured to theretaining bar 1018. Typically, the skirt first section 1022, 1022′, and1022″ is adhesively secured to the retaining bar 1018. However, duringoperation, the skirts 1020, 1020′, and 1020″ usually wear out. Whenreplacing the skirts 1020, 1020′, and 1020″, the retaining bar 1018 mustbe cleaned so that the respective replacement skirt 1020, 1020′, or1020″ can be adhesively attached thereto.

FIG. 26 shows an alternative method of securing the skirt 1020′ betweenthe distribution blade 60 and the retaining bar 1018. A pair ofanti-skid strips 1034 can be adhesively attached to the distributionblade 60 and the retaining bar 1018, respectively. The anti-skid strips1034 are known as anti-skid tape manufactured by 3M Minnesota Mining andManufacturing, Inc. located at 3M Center, 225-1S-15, St. Paul, Minn.55144-1000. The anti-skid strips 1034 have adhesive on one side 1038 anda rough sandpaper-like surface on the other side 1040. Alternatively, itis believed that the surfaces of the distribution blade 60 and theretaining bar 1018 can also be knurled or roughened in lieu of attachingthe anti-skid strips 1034. Also, only one anti-skid strip 1034 may beused in lieu of two anti-skid strips 1034. Referring to FIG. 26, theskirt 1020′ can be sandwiched between the two anti-skid strips 1034 andheld in place. It has been found that the anti-skid strips 1034 canadequately retain the skirts 1020, 1020′, and 1020″ in lieu ofadhesively affixing the skirts 1020, 1020′, and 1020″ directly to theretaining bar 1018. Therefore, replacement of the skirts 1020, 1020′,and 1020″ can be easily facilitated.

The applicator bar 1000 or 1000′ operates in a similar fashion toapplicator bar 26′, 26″, and 26′″ as previously discussed, except thatthe lip 1030″ on the skirt 1020″ creates a puddle or pool P of frictionmodifying material between the lip 1030″ and the rail head 20 as shownin FIG. 25. This pool P can also be created using skirts 1020 and 1020′.

Further, the present invention can be used to apply a lubricant to aside of the rail head 20 instead of the top of the rail head 20 bypositioning the skirts 1020, 1020′ or 1020″ along a vertical side of therail head 20 as shown in FIG. 27.

This invention has been described with reference to the preferredembodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to othersupon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It isintended that the invention be construed as including all suchmodifications and alterations.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A rail applicator system, comprising: a rail thatincludes a head having a surface; an applicator for applying a materialto the surface of the rail, said applicator comprising a body; a flowpassageway defined in said body for the material to flow through theflow passageway defining an exit end; and a skirt having an exit endportion, the exit end portion having a first thickness and a secondthickness, wherein the first thickness is different than the secondthickness.
 21. The rail applicator system of claim 20, wherein a surfaceof the seal and a surface of the skirt abut against each other.
 22. Therail applicator system of claim 20, wherein the skirt extends further onthe surface of the rail than the seal.
 23. The rail applicator system ofclaim 20, wherein the first section and the second section of the skirtdefine an angle.
 24. The rail applicator system of claim 23, wherein theangle is at least 90 degrees.
 25. The rail applicator system of claim23, wherein the angle is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180degrees.
 26. The rail applicator system of claim 20, wherein the firstsection and the second section of the skirt are curved.
 27. The railapplicator system of claim 20, wherein the skirt and the seal are madeof a flexible material.
 28. The rail applicator system of claim 20,wherein the skirt and the seal are made of an elastomeric material. 29.The rail applicator system of claim 20, wherein the skirt and the sealcomprise a polymeric material containing reinforcing fibers.
 30. Therail applicator system of claim 20, wherein the seal and the skirt areadhesively attached to each other.
 31. The rail applicator system ofclaim 20, wherein the seal and the skirt are frictionally held together.32. A rail applicator system, comprising: a rail that includes a headhaving a surface; an applicator for applying a material to the surfaceof the rail, the applicator comprising a body; a flow passageway definedin the body for the material to flow through the flow passagewaydefining an exit end; and a skirt having an exit end portion attached tothe body of the applicator and positioned adjacent the exit end fordirecting the material to the surface of the rail, the exit end portionof the skirt having a first thickness and a second thickness, whereinthe first thickness is different than the second thickness.